Take these 10 tips with you when you buy your next pocketbook

Carry On

Carry On

While a super-stylish work bag will never be the sole reason you get promoted, it could amp up your office outfit and make your job easier—if it has a few key features. So how do you find the perfect one without spending all of your hard-earned paycheck? Follow these 10 guidelines for scoring an affordable pocketbook, and check out our favorites under $50.

1. Think big.

1. Think big.

Your ideal pocketbook is likely larger than you’d expect. “Even if you’re able to travel light, on days you need to throw in extra essentials, you don’t want to look like your bag’s busting at the seams,” says Marshalls style expert Jenn Falik. Find a style that can store your daily must-haves, but isn’tso large that it looks like an overnight bag. Good measurements: a foot wide and 11 inches high.